Gulmohar tree planted by Queen Elizabeth on the grand opening of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on January 27, 1961 is no more. The AIIMS, which is currently celebrating its diamond jubilee, has lost the tree to termites.
Established in 1956, the institute’s buildings were formally opened by the British monarch on January 27, 1961 at an impressive ceremony attended by then President Rajendra Prasad.
“During her visit to the campus, Queen Elizabeth II was accompanied by Prince Philip and President Rajendra Prasad. It was a glittering ceremony and on the opening day, she had planted a tree. Unfortunately, we have lost that tree to termites. But we have planted new trees there,” said AIIMS Director Dr MC Misra.
Rare images of the royal couple visit are part of the institute’s archives, and several of these photographs were put on display during the diamond jubilee exhibition which ended on Saturday.
Queen Elizabeth, now 90, visited India in 1961 as the state guest for the Republic Day function. At AIIMS a plaque commemorating the event still stands on a pillar inside the Jl Nehru Auditorium building. The tree was planted somewhere closer to this building.
“After losing the tree sometime in the past to termites, we have planted four bottle brush trees at that spot and eight would be planted in the outer circle,” he said.
Incidentally, the photograph showing the Queen planting the tree is a coloured one, a rarity as by 1960s, very few had then access to the colour photography technology. Other archival photographs too are a mix of monochrome and colour.
“We dug up our own archives and many students and alumni also helped us put together the exhibition. These rare images, including those showing the under-construction phase of the campus buildings, give us a unique insight into the inception of AIIMS,” he said.
The exhibition was opened on the AIIMS’ Institute Day on September 26 by Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
Among other rare images include photographs of the visit of Jacqueline Kennedy to the campus.
Misra said the college is planning to put together these archive material into a coffee-table book.
“We are still looking for more rare material for the book. Also, a documentary chronicling the 60 years of AIIMS is also being planned, beside a special postal stamp. Hopefully, these would be released during the convocation day in November,” he added.
The exhibition also extolled the contribution made by Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, who was instrumental in founding of the institution.
It also carried old pictures of her mansion ‘Manorvile’ in Shimla, which she gifted to AIIMS for use as a holiday home for doctors and nurses.